Fully updated for its fourth edition, The Biological Basis of Clinical Observations provides readers with the understanding needed to perform clinical observations, make accurate judgements about the patient's condition and make good decisions concerning patient care. This essential textbook supports safe and effective clinical practice by explaining the techniques involved in making clinical observations, alongside the biological knowledge which gives them meaning. For each topic, it explains the pathological basis for variations in observed results, focusing on relevant anatomy and physiology, genetics and pharmacology, and the basic principles of care. A greatly expanded chapter on pharmacology reflects the increased importance of this subject in the nursing curriculum. Topics discussed include: temperature cardiovascular observations respiratory observations urinary and bowel observations neurological observations * nutrition fluid balance skin pharmacology pregnancy. The Biological Basis of Clinical Observations is a unique text which integrates explanations of essential procedures with the biological knowledge that underpins practice. It is essential reading for all nursing and healthcare students preparing for clinical practice.